Tech

Razer's Smart Band Hides Notifications From Prying Eyes

Gaming hardware maker Razer announced its plans to enter the wearable tech market with a hybrid smart watch and activity tracker, called the Razer Nabu, at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show on Tuesday.

The Nabu is a "smart band", a rubber bracelet with two OLED screens that offers users a mix of notifications from their device, which tracking everything about their daily habits.

The Nabu's top screen is the public icon screen, which will display icons if users receive calls, texts or other alerts from their iOS or Android devices. There is also a 128x32 pixel private message screen on the underside of the band, allowing users to see notifications without showing them to anyone nearby.

"We wanted to address the lack of privacy for most current smart watches," Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan told Mashable. "The big problem there is anyone can see your calls and texts right on your wrist."

The Nabu can track your sleep cycles, and its fitness tracker functions include an accelerometer and an altimeter, Tan said. It can also track gestures, such as handshakes, and detect other nearby Nabus to exchange information with.

All the data can be used by third-party developers on what Tan describes as an open development platform. Developers can update their existing apps to work with the Nabu, or create new ones. To encourage adoption, the Nabu is $49 for developers. The Nabu already works with existing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Runkeeper and Twitter.

Tan said another smart watch problem the Nabu addresses is battery life, as the smart band can last for 7 to 10 days without a charge.

Razer is generally known for gaming hardware, but Tan said he thinks the Nabu can integrate well into Razer's current user base.

"We want to create something for our users that will make their lives better," he said. "It can get people out of the nasty habit of staring at their phones all day, and live smarter."

The Nabu will be available at the end of Q1, Razer said. The company has not announced its retail price.

Image: Razer

CES 2014: Wearable Tech

Sony Wants to Compete with Oculus Rift

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Razer Nabu

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Sol Republic Relays

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Ok-i-dokey Unlocking System

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Pebble Steel

At CES 2014, Pebble debuted its Pebble Steel, a premium smart watch. Like the original Pebble, the Steel is waterproof and has a battery life of 5 to 7 days. The e-paper display is now covered with Corning Gorilla Glass.

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